Bruges and the Netherlands tour! Here we come

[Pitstop Penny]

Lovely to be back on this forum reading about everyone’s adventures. We’re heading over to France in the tunnel end of this month to visit Belgium and the Netherlands. Planning a route that takes in a few cities. We’re taking our folding bikes which fit inside the van. I can’t wait.

Key highlights include Bruges, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and then Volendam and around that area. Over to Giethoorn and Elburg then Utrecht and back again. And we hope to do much of it in 10 days.

Anything we should add? Or miss? So excited! We’ve had the van for nearly three years and not yet left the UK!

 

[soulstyledevon]

Cadzand area is nice, if you wanna cycle around the beaches and nature areas.
Also Noordwijk area and keukenhof.
Tip for Brugge. Park at Damme and cycle into Brugge along the river.

 

[larrylamb]

Not sure where you are in the UK but if you need a stop 1.5 hrs from the Tunnel, Ypres is worth a visit. Municipal campsite 10mins walk from town centre and the Menin Gate ( a must see).
Site is basic but in a great position and cheap as chips. Lots of lovely bars,restaurants and sights.

 

[BrugseB]

Can't PM you, but you can contact me (carobart at scarlet dot be) if you need info on Bruges and surroundings; parking is easy near cemetry, just 5 min. walk from town.

 

[bvddobb]

We live in Utrecht, so if you want to visit the city, we're happy to guide you! Let us know when you are in the neighbourhood and we can see what is possible!

 

[calibusje]

Hellow
Very nice of you to visit Belgium; I can give you some info.
In Bruges, also a very good movie :
If you like comics: De Striep, Katelijnestraat 42 https://www.brugge.be/booksmusictour-nieuw. Funny and informative: frietmuseum http://www.frietmuseum.be/en/ + the chocolate museum: http://choco-story-brugge.be/ENG/
Chocolates.... if you come to Bruges and want to buy delicious pralines, buy them at the specialized shops. Tasteful pralines are made in little factories (some are aroud Bruges e.g. 'The Chocolate Line'. Unfortunately you cannot visit it; Shop's in town https://www.thechocolateline.be/en/), they don't make them in their cellar anymore and yes, they are quite expensive. Pralines bought at a warehouse are cheaper and taste... like pralines all over the world (made by bigger companies and sold everywhere). Some chocolateshops: https://www.brugge.be/chocolattour-nieuw. May I recommend two of them? Chocolaterie Dumon at Simon Stevinplein 11 or Eiermarkt 6 or Walstraat 6 and Roose's Chocolate World. Roose's is just outside town, not much more expensive than a warehouse: https://www.chocolate-world.be/
Beer: https://thebeerexperience.be/EN/ and you don't have to take the tour, you can also just go in and taste some beer for a reasonable price. Or savour it at a local pub (my advice: café La Trappiste, Kuipersstraat 33, opens at 17h but also De Garre and brewery Bourgogne des Flandres, Kartuizerinnenstraat 6) and maybe try something new/special? There are about 1600 belgian beer brands. Beer to enjoy at home (or at the campervan) you can buy at a warehouse: same beer, same make, same taste and much more cheaper.
Go in the church 'Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk' to admire the Madonna and Child/Madonna met kind (a marble sculpture by Michelangelo). This sculpture is also featured in the movie 'The Monuments Men'.
So just stay away from the 'tourist traps' like everywhere; for instance mind the biggest tourist trap: food and drink at the market place (However, the fries vans (“Frietkot”) on the Markt are an institution, just add mayonnaise like we do). You can eat Flemish throughout Bruges so avoid the restaurants around the market place; they are clearly for tourists. Then you'll be fine.
Bruges is very touristic, that is true. For a quiet relaxed walk, take the narrow streets away from the main streets, there are a lot of them. Then you'll see how many people still live in the old town. If you have time, there's also the 'vesten' around town which are a beautiful walk. You can start at the 'kruispoort' and walk to 'katelijnebrug'. Or further. This is a lovely piece of the 'vesten'. The 'kruispoort' is also the gate (poort) closest to campsite memling (+ a nearby swimming pool) and taking the bus (or your folding bikes) is a good way to get into town.
Maybe after Ieper (Tyne Cot cemetery) a tip: the little town Kemmel at Heuvelland and take the Kemmelbergweg (cobbled road) to the top. http://www.toerismeheuvelland.be/nl/ + also the command bunker (Lettingstraat 64, 8956 Kemmel): http://www.toerismeheuvelland.be/en/command-bunker-kemmel
At Antwerp: https://www.redstarline.be/en We loved it; it's also interactive.
Then you could take the Westerscheldetunnel (N62), you're in the Netherlands now.
Still something about food: do you like to eat mussels or other seafood? Otherwise, the Philippines is a nice stopover for that; https://mosselstad.nl/en/
Then the route N57 that takes you along the Delta Works.
Rotterdam is a must, especially the cube houses, you can also visit them. Worth the effort. https://www.kubuswoning.nl/en/
Utrecht: lovely walk along the canals + Rietveld Schröderhuis 1923 and more.
Do take the A7: be sure to stop at the 'Vlietermonument' on the Afsluitdijk: https://www.visitwadden.nl/en/visit/activities/3492045785/vlietermonument-afsluitdijk
I also recommend Den Helder (just before Afsluitdijk): there is a camper place in the marina (Camperplaats Willemsoord). Admire what you see...
My post is getting too long so:
Enjoy your trip!
Greetings
Calibusje

 

[Peter84]

@calibusje the Afsluitdijk is about 200km away from the Delta Works but other than that great tips

 

[calibusje]

Yes, I know, my mistake, it was copy paste from other posts I made in the past (among others for someone who came from Denmark so from the other side and descend) and have not adjusted it all.
I’ll put it in a different/ the correct order.

 

[Klakski]

If you can fit it in visit the Hague on your way up. It’s half way between Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Volendam is a nice day trip but also Enkhuizen with the Zuiderzeemuseum. There you can take the new road across the IJsselmeer towards Giethoorn area.
If you have the time the area around Sneek, Hindeloopen or Makkum but above all enjoy the low countries

 

[Pitstop Penny]

Oh my gosh! So many replies! I’m overwhelmed. I will reply properly tomorrow. Night all

 

[Bellcrew]

Oh my gosh! So many replies! I’m overwhelmed. I will reply properly tomorrow. Night all

Delft, just lovely.

 

[BrugseB]

Lovely to be back on this forum reading about everyone’s adventures. We’re heading over to France in the tunnel end of this month to visit Belgium and the Netherlands. Planning a route that takes in a few cities. We’re taking our folding bikes which fit inside the van. I can’t wait.

Key highlights include Bruges, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and then Volendam and around that area. Over to Giethoorn and Elburg then Utrecht and back again. And we hope to do much of it in 10 days.

Anything we should add? Or miss? So excited! We’ve had the van for nearly three years and not yet left the UK!

So any update on what you're planning after all these suggestions and invitations?

 

[Pitstop Penny]

So any update on what you're planning after all these suggestions and invitations?

So many amazing suggestions. But we’ve put them on hold for later this year or next. As the weather was looking wet and not much different to the UK, we headed into France instead for a week. Bliss. Sunshine and croissants all the way, expect for a few days of rain! Ha!

We did plan on heading into Belgium and the Netherlands potentially but a sad bit of family news meant we went home as planned. All is ok now. And we did have a lovely maiden voyage with the van, leaving the UK for the first time. Utter heaven!

 

[Chibbler]

We live in Utrecht, so if you want to visit the city, we're happy to guide you! Let us know when you are in the neighbourhood and we can see what is possible!

Hi there. Can you recommend a good site with showers and toilets. Thank you

 

[bvddobb]

Hi there. Can you recommend a good site with showers and toilets. Thank you

Actually, there aren’t any half decent campsites in the direct vicinity of Utrecht. the city campsite is downright awful.

Places you might try:

Minicamping Tussen Hemel en Aarde
030 262 6798

https://goo.gl/maps/PaA4eXhwE7YLxKqr6

Buitengoed De Boomgaard
030 656 3896

https://goo.gl/maps/eGuoQ3gDX2ZLt2Yr9

But we have never been there ourselves. Sorry to be of no more use, here…

 

[calibusje]

Actually, there aren’t any half decent campsites in the direct vicinity of Utrecht. the city campsite is downright awful.

Places you might try:

Minicamping Tussen Hemel en Aarde
030 262 6798

https://goo.gl/maps/PaA4eXhwE7YLxKqr6

Buitengoed De Boomgaard
030 656 3896

https://goo.gl/maps/eGuoQ3gDX2ZLt2Yr9

But we have never been there ourselves. Sorry to be of no more use, here…

@Chibbler : We visited De Boomgaard a few years ago but before high season and found it a lovely campsite.

 

[Chibbler]

Thank you for your advice. We’ll have a look.

 

[Benh76]

We are off to Memling campsite 15th August for 3 nights and then travelling to Ghent for another 2 nights. The tips above are really helpful as last time I stopped in Bruges we stopped in the coach park on the edge of town and sadly found the first bar and stayed there all night. Belgium beers are the best

 

[calibusje]

We are off to Memling campsite 15th August for 3 nights and then travelling to Ghent for another 2 nights. The tips above are really helpful as last time I stopped in Bruges we stopped in the coach park on the edge of town and sadly found the first bar and stayed there all night. Belgium beers are the best

Have a nice stay and enjoy Bruges.

 

[phil keegan]

Hellow
Very nice of you to visit Belgium; I can give you some info.
In Bruges, also a very good movie :
If you like comics: De Striep, Katelijnestraat 42 https://www.brugge.be/booksmusictour-nieuw. Funny and informative: frietmuseum http://www.frietmuseum.be/en/ + the chocolate museum: http://choco-story-brugge.be/ENG/
Chocolates.... if you come to Bruges and want to buy delicious pralines, buy them at the specialized shops. Tasteful pralines are made in little factories (some are aroud Bruges e.g. 'The Chocolate Line'. Unfortunately you cannot visit it; Shop's in town https://www.thechocolateline.be/en/), they don't make them in their cellar anymore and yes, they are quite expensive. Pralines bought at a warehouse are cheaper and taste... like pralines all over the world (made by bigger companies and sold everywhere). Some chocolateshops: https://www.brugge.be/chocolattour-nieuw. May I recommend two of them? Chocolaterie Dumon at Simon Stevinplein 11 or Eiermarkt 6 or Walstraat 6 and Roose's Chocolate World. Roose's is just outside town, not much more expensive than a warehouse: https://www.chocolate-world.be/
Beer: https://thebeerexperience.be/EN/ and you don't have to take the tour, you can also just go in and taste some beer for a reasonable price. Or savour it at a local pub (my advice: café La Trappiste, Kuipersstraat 33, opens at 17h but also De Garre and brewery Bourgogne des Flandres, Kartuizerinnenstraat 6) and maybe try something new/special? There are about 1600 belgian beer brands. Beer to enjoy at home (or at the campervan) you can buy at a warehouse: same beer, same make, same taste and much more cheaper.
Go in the church 'Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk' to admire the Madonna and Child/Madonna met kind (a marble sculpture by Michelangelo). This sculpture is also featured in the movie 'The Monuments Men'.
So just stay away from the 'tourist traps' like everywhere; for instance mind the biggest tourist trap: food and drink at the market place (However, the fries vans (“Frietkot”) on the Markt are an institution, just add mayonnaise like we do). You can eat Flemish throughout Bruges so avoid the restaurants around the market place; they are clearly for tourists. Then you'll be fine.
Bruges is very touristic, that is true. For a quiet relaxed walk, take the narrow streets away from the main streets, there are a lot of them. Then you'll see how many people still live in the old town. If you have time, there's also the 'vesten' around town which are a beautiful walk. You can start at the 'kruispoort' and walk to 'katelijnebrug'. Or further. This is a lovely piece of the 'vesten'. The 'kruispoort' is also the gate (poort) closest to campsite memling (+ a nearby swimming pool) and taking the bus (or your folding bikes) is a good way to get into town.
Maybe after Ieper (Tyne Cot cemetery) a tip: the little town Kemmel at Heuvelland and take the Kemmelbergweg (cobbled road) to the top. http://www.toerismeheuvelland.be/nl/ + also the command bunker (Lettingstraat 64, 8956 Kemmel): http://www.toerismeheuvelland.be/en/command-bunker-kemmel
At Antwerp: https://www.redstarline.be/en We loved it; it's also interactive.
Then you could take the Westerscheldetunnel (N62), you're in the Netherlands now.
Still something about food: do you like to eat mussels or other seafood? Otherwise, the Philippines is a nice stopover for that; https://mosselstad.nl/en/
Then the route N57 that takes you along the Delta Works.
Rotterdam is a must, especially the cube houses, you can also visit them. Worth the effort. https://www.kubuswoning.nl/en/
Utrecht: lovely walk along the canals + Rietveld Schröderhuis 1923 and more.
Do take the A7: be sure to stop at the 'Vlietermonument' on the Afsluitdijk: https://www.visitwadden.nl/en/visit/activities/3492045785/vlietermonument-afsluitdijk
I also recommend Den Helder (just before Afsluitdijk): there is a camper place in the marina (Camperplaats Willemsoord). Admire what you see...
My post is getting too long so:
Enjoy your trip!
Greetings
Calibusje

Thanks for posting this. We had an excellent evening in le Trappiste in Bruge. It was the 10 year anniversary of the bar opening. 27 beers on tap + numerous bottles available. Great advice from owner. Excellent music/jazz on vinyl. Perhaps I like beer too much but would return to this city just to revisit this bar!


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[erik.godderis]

Not sure where you are in the UK but if you need a stop 1.5 hrs from the Tunnel, Ypres is worth a visit. Municipal campsite 10mins walk from town centre and the Menin Gate ( a must see).
Site is basic but in a great position and cheap as chips. Lots of lovely bars,restaurants and sights.

Restoration Menin Gate Memorial

Ieper: grootstad in de middeleeuwen en onlosmakelijk verbonden met de Eerste Wereldoorlog. Gelegen op een boogscheut van de Belgische kust en de Franse grens. Ontdek wat je allemaal kan doen tijdens jouw bezoek. Vind inspiratie om te logeren, te fietsen, te wandelen, eten en drinken en nog veel...

www.toerismeieper.be

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